The city of Independence lived up to its name this year with a Fourth of July extravaganza that rivaled those thrown before COVID-19.
This year the festival was back to two days, beginning Friday evening, July 1. The famous parade started at Summit View Academy and ended at Simon Kenton High School, traveling the distance between the two on Old Route 17.
Check out photos from the event below.
People were prepared for the heat and came out in droves, dressed in red, white and blue and sporting umbrellas for shade and sunblock.
The festival was due to start at the end of the parade, but enterprising vendors walked the parade route before the parade started, selling lemonade, popcorn, and cotton candy to help pass the time.
The watchers corraled their children when the parade ended, and wandered over to the festival, who welcomed them with open arms.
Kona Ice tasted mighty good after basking in the sun for an hour, but the children quickly let the grown ups know that rides were a good chaser to the parade candy and ice balls.
Other attractions were roasted corn, funnel cakes, and ice cream, as well as games, split the pot, and informational booths.
